Cambridge Trust International Scholarship 2027: PhD Funding Guide
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Cambridge Trust International Scholarship |
| Funded by | Cambridge Trust, University of Cambridge funding system |
| Host country | United Kingdom |
| Level | PhD |
| Coverage | International fees, maintenance, and student immigration health surcharge |
| Deadline | Same as the funding deadline for your Cambridge course |
| Eligible applicants | Prospective PhD applicants from countries other than the UK and Ireland, subject to fee status/course rules |
| Official website | https://www.student-funding.cam.ac.uk/fund/cambridge-international-scholarship-2025 |
The Cambridge Trust International Scholarship is a major Cambridge PhD funding route for high-ranked international applicants. The official funding page lists international fees, maintenance, and student immigration health surcharge as the award purpose, with the deadline set as the funding deadline for the applicant’s course.
For UK comparisons, read `/gates-cambridge-scholarship-2027-guide` and `/clarendon-scholarship-2027-oxford-guide`.
What Does It Cover?
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| International tuition fees | Covered under the award purpose |
| Maintenance | Included under the award purpose |
| Immigration health surcharge | Listed as part of the award purpose |
| Duration | Course length |
| Colleges | Tenable at any College of the University of Cambridge |
| Subjects | Any eligible Cambridge PhD subject listed in the funding search |
| Awards | Official page listed approximately 63 awards for 2026/27 |
The Cambridge Trust also supports other scholarships, including partner-funded and nationality-specific awards. One strong application may be considered for multiple eligible Trust awards if submitted correctly.
Eligibility
✅ You Must:
- Be a prospective applicant to an eligible Cambridge PhD course.
- Submit your admissions application by the funding deadline for your course.
- Indicate in the Cambridge application that you wish to be considered for funding.
- Be highly ranked by your prospective department.
- Meet Cambridge admission requirements and receive a conditional offer.
- Be from an eligible country group for the specific award.
❌ Not Eligible If:
- You miss the course funding deadline.
- You forget to request funding consideration in the applicant portal.
- You are applying for an unsupported degree level for this specific scholarship.
- You are part-way through a Cambridge course and not applying for eligible higher-degree funding.
- You expect the Trust to cover MBA or MFin funding; Cambridge Trust states it does not offer funding for premium courses such as MBA and MFin in its general postgraduate guidance.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Find your Cambridge PhD course
Use the Cambridge postgraduate course directory. Open your course page and check the funding deadline; it may differ from the final admission deadline.
Step 2: Prepare a strong research application
The scholarship is based on academic ability and research potential. Your proposal, supervisor fit, references, and prior performance matter.
Step 3: Complete the funding section
Cambridge Trust guidance says applicants must indicate that they wish to be considered for funding in the online admissions application.
Step 4: Submit before the course funding deadline
Do not rely on the later application deadline. If you apply after the funding deadline, you may still be admissible but not considered for most Trust funding.
Step 5: Wait through the awards period
The Cambridge Trust says its awards period runs from March to July. Applicants remain under consideration during that period, and unsuccessful applicants may not receive individual notices.
Cambridge Trust vs Similar UK Awards
| Scholarship | University | Level | Coverage | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Trust International | Cambridge | PhD | Fees + maintenance + IHS | Departmental ranking through Cambridge funding process |
| Gates Cambridge | Cambridge | Master’s/PhD | Fully funded | Leadership and global impact framing |
| Clarendon | Oxford | Master’s/DPhil | Fees + living grant | Automatic Oxford consideration by course deadline |
| Commonwealth PhD | UK-wide | PhD | Fully funded | For eligible Commonwealth country groups |
Insider Tips
1. Find the funding deadline first
The Trust says the funding deadline is not always the same as the admission deadline. Build your application backward from funding, not admission.
2. Do not skip the funding checkbox/section
Cambridge Trust guidance is explicit: you must indicate that you wish to be considered for funding.
3. Make research potential obvious
The official award description emphasizes academic ability and research potential. Your supervisor fit and research trajectory should be easy to understand.
4. Apply for every suitable Cambridge fund
The Trust advises students with financial need to research and apply for all suitable scholarships.
5. Expect a long decision window
The awards period runs from March to July. Keep backup plans active while waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cambridge Trust International Scholarship fully funded?
For the listed PhD award, the official funding page includes international fees, maintenance, and the student immigration health surcharge.
Is it open to Master’s students?
This specific Cambridge Trust International Scholarship listing is for PhD study. Cambridge Trust has other postgraduate awards; check the scholarship finder.
What is the deadline?
The official page says the deadline is the same as the funding deadline for the course.
How many awards are available?
The official listing for 2026/27 showed approximately 63 awards. Future-cycle numbers should be checked when the 2027/28 listing updates.
Will unsuccessful applicants be notified?
The Trust says it may not contact unsuccessful applicants and advises that applicants who have not been contacted by the end of the awards period should assume they were not successful.
Timeline Table
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Course and supervisor research | September–November 2026 |
| Course funding deadline | Varies by course, commonly late 2026 or early 2027 |
| Admissions/funding application | Submit before funding deadline |
| Award period | March–July 2027 |
| Course start | 2027 academic year |
Your Action Plan
1. Choose your Cambridge PhD course and identify the course funding deadline.
2. Contact potential supervisors if your department expects it.
3. Prepare research proposal, references, transcripts, CV, and English test documents.
4. In the applicant portal, request funding consideration.
5. Submit before the funding deadline and monitor emails through July.
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